New Training in Ancient Techniques

Kathy Francis and Natalie Titus have been trained in the traditional Chinese method of veterinary diagnosis and acupuncture treatment. After completing a series of courses and passing several examinations, they have brought their new skills to our patients here.

Chinese medicine was developed over thousands of years of meticulous trial and observation. The Chinese used acupuncture and medicinal herbs to treat various conditions and diseases, and many of these treatments have proven to be scientifically helpful in our modern age of medicine.

 Who Can Benefit From This Type Of Therapy?

Acupuncture is a method of intentionally placing needles along specific meridians to cause a response. Common uses for acupuncture include pain relief, seizure treatment, general well-being, skin conditions, respiratory conditions, inflammation association with infections, urinary and fecal incontinence, kidney disease, nausea and diarrhea, and support through chemotherapy. Acupuncture can be helpful when patients cannot tolerate certain medications. We can combine the best of western medicine with eastern-based acupuncture to give our patients the optimum quality of life and range of treatments.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

How does acupuncture work? Scientific studies have shown that acupuncture releases endorphins, which are the body’s own natural painkiller. Acupuncture stimulates circulation, and also draws inflammatory mediators to help fight infection. The goal of acupuncture it to have the pet remain as comfortable and symptom-free as possible. It is often not a cure but can sometimes be as effective as a cure in how it improves quality of life.

How To Begin Acupuncture Therapy

In order to be treated for acupuncture, the pet must be evaluated from a Chinese medicine perspective. Special attention is paid to the pet’s environment, behavior, diet, & preferences when treatment is chosen. The appearance of the tongue, strength of the pulses, heat/cool preferences, and disposition are very important in formulating the proper choice of points. Pets with very similar symptoms can receive a completely different treatment plan because of differences in these basic areas.

What To Expect During an Acupuncture Session

The examination and acupuncture are performed in a quiet area. Your pet may be treated on the floor or on the table, depending on size and comfort. Calming points may be treated first, and then the needles are placed in the various location prescribed by the veterinarian. Most patients tolerate these needles very well, and they are left in place for an average of 15-30 minutes. Certainly some points are tolerated better than others. For extra stimulation, very helpful for painful conditions, some of our pets are treated with electro-acupuncture, and a slight electrical current is run between acupuncture points. We can also use aquapuncture and give an injection into an acupuncture point where a needle may not be tolerated for very long. It is surprising to see how well both cats and dogs have tolerated needles placed in various locations, including the back, face, paws and neck.

Appointments Are Available. Schedule One For Your Pet Today!

We are seeing acupuncture appointments Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons. If you are interested in having your pet evaluated and treated, please call our office to schedule a consult.